Window-scaffold



(No Model.) I v f 2 SheetsSheet 1.

v G. .HESSE.

WINDOW SOAFPOLD.

Patented June 9, 1885.

PETERS, PMlo-Liflwgraplwr. Walhinglon, n. C.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.v

O HESSE WINDOW SGAFFOLD.

Patented June 9, 1885.

.rlttarney PAIENT rrrcn.

CHARLES HESSE, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.

WINDOW-SCAFFOLD.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,714, dated June 9,1885.

Application filed April 29, 18?? T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, CHARLES HEssE, of Danville, in the county of Vermillion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in W'indow-Scaffolds; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention is an improvement in window-scaffolds, the object of which is to provide a strong, durable, and adjustable platform for mechanics, laborers, and the like, while engaged in repairing window-frames or in painting the same, and for persons while in the actof washing thewindows and wood-work of the higher stories of houses, thus providing a wide and safe platform to prevent any accidental falling of the persons employed. It may also be used as a means for attaching fire-escapes of any desired construction.

It consists of a frame made, preferably, of wood, and it is strengthened at both ends by cross-pieces. On the platform may be construeted a wire-net fence, built around the edges of the frame, but which I have not shown in the illustrations. The fence may be of any height and kind. On each side of the frame are secured two adjustable legs, which are adapted to fit close to the wall of the house. The legs 0 (3' are on the outside of the wall, while the legs 0 O are placed in the interior, to prevent any slipping or jolting of the scaffold while in use. The legs connect with each other by supports or braces, which may be made of wood or other suitable material, and are held in place by metal braces, which are perforated to receive bolts, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved device. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a house to which my invention is applied, and showing the attachment of a fire-escape. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View taken on the line at m, Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a detail View of the flooring or stage.

(No model.)

B B represent the crosspieces, which are secured to the frame A by bolts a, and held fast by the iron washers b b and nuts 0 a. They are used as a flange for the frame, to prevent the flooring d from slipping off, which it would have a tendency to do as the person standing on it attempted to reach the upper part of the window; but with the cross-pieces B B (which also help to strengthen the frame) the flooring is held in a fixed position, and would support a weight of from one to five hundred pounds with perfect safety. If so desired, the fioo'ring may be screwed to the frame A; but on the bottom are secured two strips, S S, formed integral therewith, and in such a manner as to fit snugly between the frame, thusv avoiding oscillation thereof. (See Fig. 5.) The crosspieces B B are also applicable to hold and support the fire-escape F, which is preferably made of iron rods and rope, but may be of any suitable construction and material.

C G are adjustable legs, which are adapted, as heretofore eXplained,to straddle the wall and fit snugly to it on both sides. They are provided at their lower extremities with cross pieces e e, which serve to connect the legs and form .a support while they are brought in contact with the wall. The support 6 is provided with a cushion, f, made of rubber, felt, or any suitable material,to prevent scratching or disfiguring the wall. The legs 0 C are adjusted to the thickness of the wall,and held in place by the braces D D, which are perforated at t t, to admit of the screw-bolts a a, and secured by washers b b and nuts 0 c. Said perforations are of equal distance apart, as in the drawings, but may be of any distance, provided they come into immediate contact with the bolts a a when the legs are set in the proper position. The braces are made of thin sheet metal, but malleable iron is preferred, and are fastened to the legs near the cross pieces 0 e by bolts R B, forming a hinge on which the braces are moved. I y

E is an upright guide fastened at its upper end by screw-bolts to the cross-piece B, and rabbeted at G to the cross piece or brace G, as

Ice

shown in Fig. 4. It is also braced by rods m m. (See Figs."2 and 4.) At or near its lower extremity is a hole, through which extends the rod h, which facilitates the adjustment of the legs to walls of various thicknesses. On each side of the guide E are two lever-nuts, which serve to secure the leg at any desired adj ustment. The rod h is bent in the form of an eye at g to link with the eye-screw g, which is secured to the support 6, and has for a shoulder the washer n, which is made of any suitable metal, to prevent the screw from pulling out or sinking into the support e.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The scaffold is placed in the window, the legs straddling the wall beneath the sill. Then the lower portion of the legs are moved toward each other and caused to squeeze the wall by means of the rod h and the screw-levers h h in guide E. The braces D D are then placed in their respective positions.

It will be observed-that my improved scaffold issimple, light, strong, and inexpensive.

WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a scaffold, the frame, the adjustable legs and braces, and the cross-pieces at the ends extending above the platform, in combination with the platform, as described and set forth.

2. In a scaffold, the frame, the adjustable legs, and braces, in combination with the guide, the tightening-rod, and the brace to hold the guide firmly in place, as described and set forth.

3. In a window-scaffold, the frame A, and adjustable legs 0 O G C, pivotally secured thereto, having connections with each other by cross-pieces e e, and the cushion f, in combination with the wall of a house, substantially as described.

4. In awindow-seafi'old, the combination of the frame A, cross pieces or flanges B B, with the adjustable inclined braces D D, and legs 0 C O O, and cross-pieces e e, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES HESSE.

VVi tnesses:

FRANCIS M. SHUFY, CHARLES MILLER. 

